The Needles Causeway on the Woronora River

SF

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The Needles, on the Woronora River between Engadine and Barden Ridge, is a great area for swimming but also has a long history which I've always found interesting.

Warning: history lesson ahead!

The causeway pictured was once part of the first road to the Illawarra (or Five Islands as it was known then), which was built by the famous Surveyor-General, Sir Thomas Mitchell, between 1841 and 1843. The road crossed the Georges River at the Lugarno-Alfords Point ferry, followed the path of the Old Illawarra Road to Barden Ridge, and then crossed the Woronora River here before continuing up Woronora Road, Engadine. The path can be quite easily followed on a street directory.

The portion of road around the crossing was originally named The Pass of Sabugal by Mitchell, after a town in Portugal where he served in the 95th Rifles during the Napoleonic Wars.

The road was constructed by chain gang convicts, under the supervision of William Darke, after whom Darkes Forest is named.

Unfortunately, the Old Illawarra Road wasn't one of Mitchell's finest jobs - steep and difficult - and it was replaced by the road through Tom Ugly's and Sutherland in 1866.

See the book: "From Bottle Forest to Heathcote" by Patrick Kennedy for all the details. This site also has information on the St George side of the road.

These days it is a steep fire trail on both sides. It takes 5-10 minutes to get down from Woronora Road at Engadine, but can be a heart-pounding walk back up! Unless the dam wall breaks, the causeway seems to be always very easy to cross, and is a good spot to take 'walking on water' photos!
 

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IronShark

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The Needles, on the Woronora River between Engadine and Barden Ridge, is a great area for swimming but also has a long history which I've always found interesting.

Warning: history lesson ahead!

The causeway pictured was once part of the first road to the Illawarra (or Five Islands as it was known then), which was built by the famous Surveyor-General, Sir Thomas Mitchell, between 1841 and 1843. The road crossed the Georges River at the Lugarno-Alfords Point ferry, followed the path of the Old Illawarra Road to Barden Ridge, and then crossed the Woronora River here before continuing up Woronora Road, Engadine. The path can be quite easily followed on a street directory.

The portion of road around the crossing was originally named The Pass of Sabugal by Mitchell, after a town in Portugal where he served in the 95th Rifles during the Napoleonic Wars.

The road was constructed by chain gang convicts, under the supervision of William Darke, after whom Darkes Forest is named.

Unfortunately, the Old Illawarra Road wasn't one of Mitchell's finest jobs - steep and difficult - and it was replaced by the road through Tom Ugly's and Sutherland in 1866.

See the book: "From Bottle Forest to Heathcote" by Patrick Kennedy for all the details. This site also has information on the St George side of the road.

These days it is a steep fire trail on both sides. It takes 5-10 minutes to get down from Woronora Road at Engadine, but can be a heart-pounding walk back up! Unless the dam wall breaks, the causeway seems to be always very easy to cross, and is a good spot to take 'walking on water' photos!

Hey! just came across this by accident! Growing up in Engadine, this was one of my favourite places to go as a kid for a bike ride and a swim and now I take my kids there. Certainly is a steep walk back up to Woronora Rd but well worth it, a beautiful spot.

By the way, love the Shire history stuff SF, if you have any more keep it coming!:)
 

SF

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Hey! just came across this by accident! Growing up in Engadine, this was one of my favourite places to go as a kid for a bike ride and a swim and now I take my kids there. Certainly is a steep walk back up to Woronora Rd but well worth it, a beautiful spot.

By the way, love the Shire history stuff SF, if you have any more keep it coming!:)
Yeah for a while I had too much time on my hands. :) But I still find that road pretty interesting.

If you are ever bored, this newspaper archive has heaps of local history, e.g.

http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/search?searchTerm=woronora&within=new&withinSearchTerm=woronora

http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/search?searchTerm=cronulla+shark+attack
 
7

71Fisho

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Blue Lagoon

The water at the needles upstream from the convict causeway was pristine,when I was hanging up there in the early to mid 70s.it was so unspoilt and clear,that in winter,the water hole acquired the name of blue lagoon as the colour was quite literally just that.Its still pretty clean now,just not so blue.I think all the urban run off from the newer burbs at Bangor ,Woronora Heights etc have inevitably caused it to be less pristine .I still love the Woni and catch plenty of good fish,especially from the mouth at Como to the Road Bridge at Woronora.It has silted up,which is a good thing as it keeps the big boats away,with a few deeper holes about throughout the system.The waterfront properties around Shakles Estate,are largely gone,save a few surviving enclaves.Its all comparatively gentrified down by the river these days.When I was at high school 71-76,anyone from the river area was called a"river rat".Itwas a badge of distinction,not a put down ,as everyone in the non river suburbs I think envied their Huck Fin lifestyle.A lot of river properties were rented and there were still plenty of old depression era cottages about,as well as long term oyster Families,who had been on the river for generations.In all, A really special place,then and now.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
Re ...The Needles.

Used to hang out here in the early to mid 70 s. It was absolutely pristene and unpolluted.Locals referred to the area above the weir as " the blue lagoon"as it literally had this colour,especially in winter.Still a great place.
 
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